
Great Eastern Holders to Vote on $704 Million OCBC Delist Plan
Save
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. 's final attempt to fully control Great Eastern Holdings Ltd. with its S$900 million ($704 million) bid will be tested on Tuesday, capping a two-decade quest by Singapore's second-largest lender to take over the insurer.
OCBC is just 6.28% shy of complete ownership, and Great Eastern's minority shareholders will vote at an extraordinary general meeting whether to delist the 117-year-old firm with an improved bid from the bank. If investors representing 75% of the shares present at the EGM reject that plan, OCBC's so-called 'exit offer' will lapse, paving the way for the insurer's shares to resume trading.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Australia to buy 11 advanced warships from Japan
Australia will upgrade its navy with 11 Mogami-class frigates built by Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Tuesday. Australia is in the midst of a major military restructuring announced in 2023, turning towards long-range strike capabilities to better respond to China's naval might. It is striving to expand its fleet of major warships from 11 to 26 over the next 10 years. "This is clearly the biggest defence-industry agreement that has ever been struck between Japan and Australia," Marles said, touting the US$6 billion (Aus$10 billion) deal. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was awarded the tender over Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. "This decision was made based on what was the best capability for Australia," Marles said. "We do have a very close strategic alignment with Japan." Mogami-class warships are advanced stealth frigates equipped with a potent array of weapons. Marles said they would replace Australia's ageing fleet of Anzac-class vessels, with the first Mogami-class ship to be in service by 2030. "The Mogami-class frigate is the best frigate for Australia," said Marles. "It is a next-generation vessel. It is stealthy. It has 32 vertical launch cells capable of launching long-range missiles." Defence industry minister Pat Conroy said the frigates were capable of launching long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. - 'More lethal' - "The acquisition of these stealth frigates will make our navy a bigger navy, and a more lethal navy," he said. The first three Mogami-class frigates will be built overseas, Conroy said, with shipbuilding yards in Western Australia expected to produce the rest. Australia announced a deal to acquire US-designed nuclear-powered submarines in 2021, scrapping a years-long plan to develop non-nuclear subs from France. Under the tripartite AUKUS pact with the United States and the United Kingdom, the Australian navy plans to acquire at least three Virginia-class submarines within 15 years. The AUKUS submarine programme alone could cost the country up to US$235 billion over the next 30 years, according to Australian government forecasts, a price tag that has stoked criticism of the strategy. Major defence projects in Australia have long suffered from cost overruns, government U-turns, policy changes and project plans that make more sense for local job creation than defence. Australia plans to gradually increase its defence spending to 2.4 percent of gross domestic product -- above the two percent target set by its NATO allies, but well short of US demands for 3.5 percent. sft/lec/tym
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Singapore tackles tariffs with bold economic strategy review; Pritam reflects on WP's GE2025 near misses: Singapore live news
Singapore has launched a forward-looking Economic Strategy Review (ESR) to navigate rising global uncertainties, including US-imposed tariffs and technological disruption. Spearheaded by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, the ESR will be driven by five new committees focused on global competitiveness, technology and innovation, entrepreneurship, human capital and economic restructuring. Each committee is co-chaired by political leaders and includes stakeholders from the private sector and unions. The review aims to build on existing strategies while embracing new approaches, especially in areas like AI and workforce transformation. Singapore's baseline tariff with the US now stands at 10 per cent, with further levies expected. The committees will engage widely and publish a final report by mid-2026. The ESR signals Singapore's commitment to staying agile, competitive and resilient. Workers' Party (WP) leader Pritam Singh opened up about the 2025 General Election (GE2025) in a candid radio interview, revealing that the party had hoped to win one or two new constituencies. Despite retaining its strongholds, WP fell short in areas like Punggol and Tampines. Pritam blamed boundary changes for forcing a strategic pivot, including the decision not to contest Marine Parade GRC. That move led to a walkover win for the PAP and criticism from other opposition parties. Pritam praised WP's candidates for their courage and commitment, especially the 14 newcomers. He emphasised the importance of long-term planning over short-term gains. Pritam says WP may not have tipped new seats this time, but the fight for broader representation continues. More on Pritam's GE2025 candid interview here. Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates. Government launches Economic Strategy Review to tackle global shifts Singapore has kicked off a major Economic Strategy Review (ESR) to safeguard its future amid rising US tariffs, geopolitical tensions and rapid technological change. Led by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, the review will culminate in a comprehensive report by mid-2026. Five new committees will focus on global competitiveness, technology and innovation, entrepreneurship, human capital, and economic restructuring. Each is co-chaired by political office holders and includes private sector and union representatives. The Global Competitiveness committee aims to reinforce Singapore's status as a trusted investment hub. The Technology and Innovation group will explore AI adoption and digital transformation. Meanwhile, the Entrepreneurship committee will strengthen the startup ecosystem, and the Human Capital team will equip workers for career mobility and resilience. The final committee will address the social and economic fallout of restructuring. Pritam Singh shares WP's GE2025 lessons learned Workers' Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh hoped to 'tip one or two more constituencies' in Singapore's May 2025 General Election (GE2025). Despite strong efforts, the party retained its seats in Aljunied GRC, Sengkang GRC and Hougang, but couldn't break into new ground like Punggol and Tampines. Pritam cited boundary changes as a major factor, saying the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee's adjustments forced WP to pivot its strategy. The party had previously contested Marine Parade GRC but chose not to this time, drawing criticism from other opposition groups. Pritam praised WP's 26 candidates, including 14 newcomers, for their grit and character. He emphasised the uphill battle smaller parties face due to limited resources. For Pritam and WP, the fight continues. 'We came close, not close enough. But that just tells you there's still work to do,' he said. Read on Pritam's GE2025 reflections here. Government launches Economic Strategy Review to tackle global shifts Singapore has kicked off a major Economic Strategy Review (ESR) to safeguard its future amid rising US tariffs, geopolitical tensions and rapid technological change. Led by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, the review will culminate in a comprehensive report by mid-2026. Five new committees will focus on global competitiveness, technology and innovation, entrepreneurship, human capital, and economic restructuring. Each is co-chaired by political office holders and includes private sector and union representatives. The Global Competitiveness committee aims to reinforce Singapore's status as a trusted investment hub. The Technology and Innovation group will explore AI adoption and digital transformation. Meanwhile, the Entrepreneurship committee will strengthen the startup ecosystem, and the Human Capital team will equip workers for career mobility and resilience. The final committee will address the social and economic fallout of restructuring. Singapore has kicked off a major Economic Strategy Review (ESR) to safeguard its future amid rising US tariffs, geopolitical tensions and rapid technological change. Led by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, the review will culminate in a comprehensive report by mid-2026. Five new committees will focus on global competitiveness, technology and innovation, entrepreneurship, human capital, and economic restructuring. Each is co-chaired by political office holders and includes private sector and union representatives. The Global Competitiveness committee aims to reinforce Singapore's status as a trusted investment hub. The Technology and Innovation group will explore AI adoption and digital transformation. Meanwhile, the Entrepreneurship committee will strengthen the startup ecosystem, and the Human Capital team will equip workers for career mobility and resilience. The final committee will address the social and economic fallout of restructuring. Pritam Singh shares WP's GE2025 lessons learned Workers' Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh hoped to 'tip one or two more constituencies' in Singapore's May 2025 General Election (GE2025). Despite strong efforts, the party retained its seats in Aljunied GRC, Sengkang GRC and Hougang, but couldn't break into new ground like Punggol and Tampines. Pritam cited boundary changes as a major factor, saying the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee's adjustments forced WP to pivot its strategy. The party had previously contested Marine Parade GRC but chose not to this time, drawing criticism from other opposition groups. Pritam praised WP's 26 candidates, including 14 newcomers, for their grit and character. He emphasised the uphill battle smaller parties face due to limited resources. For Pritam and WP, the fight continues. 'We came close, not close enough. But that just tells you there's still work to do,' he said. Read on Pritam's GE2025 reflections here. Workers' Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh hoped to 'tip one or two more constituencies' in Singapore's May 2025 General Election (GE2025). Despite strong efforts, the party retained its seats in Aljunied GRC, Sengkang GRC and Hougang, but couldn't break into new ground like Punggol and Tampines. Pritam cited boundary changes as a major factor, saying the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee's adjustments forced WP to pivot its strategy. The party had previously contested Marine Parade GRC but chose not to this time, drawing criticism from other opposition groups. Pritam praised WP's 26 candidates, including 14 newcomers, for their grit and character. He emphasised the uphill battle smaller parties face due to limited resources. For Pritam and WP, the fight continues. 'We came close, not close enough. But that just tells you there's still work to do,' he said. Read on Pritam's GE2025 reflections here.
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Shares in Asia rally, dollar lower against yen on Fed rate cut bets
By Rocky Swift TOKYO (Reuters) -Shares in Asia rose for a second consecutive session and the U.S. dollar held most of its losses on Tuesday as investors increased bets the Federal Reserve will act to prop up the world's largest economy. U.S. shares rallied on Monday on generally positive earnings reports and increasing bets for a September rate cut from the Fed after disappointing jobs data on Friday. Oil remained lower after output increases by OPEC+ and threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to raise tariffs on India over its Russian petroleum purchases. Japan's Nikkei rallied, with data showing a jump in the nation's service sector activity in July. "There are signs of weakness in parts of the U.S. economy, that plays to the view that maybe not in September, but certainly this year that the Fed's still on course to ease potentially twice," said Rodrigo Catril, senior currency strategist at National Australia Bank. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.6% in early trade. The Nikkei climbed 0.5% after falling by the most in two months on Monday. The dollar dropped 0.1% to 146.96 yen. The euro was unchanged at $1.1572, while the dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of major peers, edged up 0.1% after a two-day slide. Odds for a September rate cut now stand at about 94%, according to CME Fedwatch, from a 63% chance seen on July 28. Market participants see at least two quarter-point cuts by the end of this year. The disappointing nonfarm payrolls data on Friday added to the case for a cut by the Fed, and took on another layer of drama with Trump's decision to fire the head of labor statistics responsible for the figures. News that Trump would get to fill a governorship position at the Fed early also added to worries about politicisation of interest rate policy. Trump again threatened to raise tariffs on goods from India from the 25% level announced last month, over its Russian oil purchases, while New Delhi called his attack "unjustified" and vowed to protect its economic interests. Second-quarter U.S. earnings season is winding down, but investors are still looking forward to reports this week from companies including Walt Disney and Caterpillar. Tech heavyweights Nvidia, Alphabet and Meta surged overnight, and Palantir Technologies raised its revenue forecast for the second time this year on expectations of sustained demand for its artificial intelligence services. "Company earnings announcements continue to spur market moves," Moomoo Australia market strategist Michael McCarthy said in a note. In Japan, the S&P Global final services purchasing managers' index climbed to 53.6 in July from 51.7 in June, marking the strongest expansion since February. Oil prices were little changed after three days of declines on mounting oversupply concerns, with the potential for more Russian supply disruptions providing support. Brent crude futures were flat at $68.76 per barrel, while U.S. crude futures dipped 0.02% to $66.28 a barrel. Spot gold was slightly higher at $3,381.4 per ounce. [GOL/] The pan-region Euro Stoxx 50 futures were up 0.2%, while German DAX futures were up 0.3% and FTSE futures rose 0.4%. U.S. stock futures, the S&P 500 e-minis, were up 0.2%. Bitcoin was little changed at $114,866.06 after a two-day rally.